Staying on the sidelines

Tank Daniels' professional
football experience includes a Super Bowl ring earned with the
Giants in Super Bowl XLII.
William Paterson athletics photo

Tank Daniels had to resist every primal urge in his mind
and body.

He saw it all happen perfectly, just as he imagined it. He
watched senior German Decenta jump up and intercept the ball at its
highest point, just like he told him to. He watched Decenta find a
lane and cut up field. And he watched the other 10 defensive
players pave a way for Decenta to the end zone. Touchdown, William
Paterson.

"I wanted to run down the field with them all," Daniels
admits.

Daniels, a former NFL linebacker in his first year as an
assistant secondary coach with the Pioneers, makes up one half of
the Pioneers' ex-NFL player coaching duo. Shaun Williams, a former
safety and first-round pick of the New York Giants, coaches the
defensive backs and serves as the passing defensive
coordinator. Daniels works primarily with the "bandits," the
hybrid strong safety-outside linebacker players in William
Paterson's 3-3 defense.

Both Williams and Daniels report to defensive coordinator Chadd
Braine and head coach Jerry Flora, but their experience and
knowledge of the game has undoubtedly had an impact on the
Pioneers' defensive backs. Through five games, William Paterson
ranks 11th in the country in passing defense (125.4 yards per
game).

"The biggest thing that they bring is the fact that they've
played on the highest level," Flora said.

Williams, who started for the Giants in their Super Bowl XXXV
loss to the Baltimore Ravens, spent eight seasons with the Giants
and one with the Carolina Panthers. Daniels, who went undrafted in
2006, bounced around the league, first with the Philadelphia Eagles
in 2006 and then with the Giants from 2007-08. Daniels has a Super
Bowl ring from the Giants' 17-14 win over New England in Super Bowl
XLII. Daniels also had short stints with the Eagles (again), the
UFL's Hartford Colonials and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Once their playing days were over, both Williams and Daniels
found their way to William Paterson. Williams, now in his fourth
year with the staff, was referred by former Giants teammate and
fullback Charles Way, the Giants' director of player development
and a close friend of Flora's. Daniels lives near William Paterson
and, after meeting with another local coach, reached out to
Flora.

The Pioneers' fifth-year head coach was eager to add additional
NFL experience to his staff while, at the same time, give another
former experience in coaching.

"We want them to understand the whole scheme of things, because
at the end of the day, there may be an opportunity some day for
them to be head coaches," Flora said. "So I always want them to
learn every single thing that goes into football."

Williams, 36, and Daniels, 30, never crossed paths in the NFL --
Daniels' first season came the season after Williams' last -- but
the two have formed a close bond as coaches. Williams will
occasionally remind Daniels he isn't the one putting on the pads
anymore. Daniels, when given the chance, enjoys flaunting his
ring.

"Yeah, we played on Super Bowl teams but I'm the one that has
the win," Daniels said. "Believe me, I throw that in his face every
time I get the chance to."

Shaun Williams started at
free safety for the Giants in Super Bowl XXXV and has taken to
coaching after not having considered it
previously.
William Paterson athletics photo

Since Williams' arrival in the 2009 season, the Pioneers have
never allowed more than 135 yards passing per game. The Pioneers
ranked sixth in the country in passing defense last season, and
third in 2010. Certainly Braine, the defensive coordinator who
oversees the entire unit deserves credit, but Williams and Daniels
have had a strong impact.

As the passing defensive coordinator, Williams is tasked with
building a weekly scheme and creating coverages to slow down the
opponent's passing attack. Daniels, for now, is more of a utility
man, doing everything from breaking down video to working on
techniques.

"I'm just learning from everyone," Daniels said. "Even though
I'm on the defensive side, I've really just tried to be a sponge
and soak it all in. I try to wear as many hats as I can."

Williams said he never considered the possibility of coaching
until DeWayne Walker, then the defensive backs coach with the
Giants and currently the head coach at New Mexico State, took him
under his wing. Daniels, on the other hand, majored
in kinesiology and had always considered a coaching
career.

"Knowing the fact that I couldn't play sports forever, a way
that I could be around it would be through coaching," Daniels said.
"I didn't think I would be coaching this soon, but I love coaching
and being around the kids."

When Williams and Daniels see players like Decenta, whose
70-yard interception return for a touchdown was the difference in
William Paterson's 21-14 win against SUNY-Maritime two weeks ago,
and senior Steve Bovo make plays, they feel a sense of pride unique
to a coach. It's not the pride they used to feel when they made a
big tackle or key interception. It's something different and, in a
way, better.

"It makes me appreciate all the coaching that I had," Daniels
said. "... There's so much work that goes into coaching that,
honestly, I took for granted. I didn't know until now."

Williams said he hopes to secure a Division I job or coaching
internship in the NFL in the future. Daniels readily admits that he
wishes he were still playing, but said he's also embraced this next
chapter of his football career.

"I don't even know if I've truly made a transition," Daniels
said. "I love the fact that if I'm showing a guy how to do
something, I don't even have to wear pads. ... I try to stay in
shape and run around, but they still joke with me because they'll
be like, 'Alright coach, you're breathing hard now. ...'

"I love football. I always want to be around it."

Salisbury still king of Empire 8

We knew it would be a close game, we knew it would be hard
hitting, and we knew that it would basically decide the Empire 8
championship. We just didn't know if Salisbury would remain
unbeaten in conference play.

Now, we do -- Salisbury is the best team in the Empire 8. That
was previously a tough statement to debate, but after Saturday's
28-17 win against St. John Fisher, it can probably be stated as
fact. Yes, Alfred is flying under the radar, and Fisher isn't going
anywhere. But the Sea Gulls have yet to lose in Empire 8 play since
joining the conference last season, and they might not this
year.

Salisbury, currently ranked No. 7 in the D3football.com Top 25
poll, did what all great teams do -- it finished strong. Fisher
took a 17-14 lead late in the third quarter on Tyler Fenti's 2-yard
touchdown run. But Ross Flanigan's 5-yard touchdown run with 6:32
left in the fourth quarter put Salisbury back up. A 32-yard
interception return for touchdown by Paul Moore a few minutes later
sealed the Sea Gulls' win.

Flanigan rushed for two of Salisbury's three offensive
touchdowns and led the team with 55 yards on the ground. Dan
Griffin (12 carries, 33 yards) and Joe Benedetti (11 carries, 31
yards) were virtual non-factors in the running game. In fact,
Fisher actually out-gained Salisbury on the ground and in total
yards.

Fenti, a junior backup, was pressed into duty after the
Cardinals lost starter Ryan Kramer to injury. Outside of the fourth
quarter, Fenti faired decently. But a pair of fourth-quarter
interceptions doomed the Cardinals. Would this game have had a
different outcome with a healthy Kramer? It's not out of the
question.

Salisbury's schedule sets up favorably, as three of its next
four games come at home. St. John Fisher travels to Alfred this
weekend for another key Empire 8 battle.

Kean rolls to third straight win

Kean caught plenty of people by surprise last season, especially
with its season-opening upset of Wesley. The Cougars, coming off a
10-win season, were widely expected to compete for the NJAC
title.

So perhaps a season-opening loss to Albright tempered
expectations a bit. A Week 2 loss to Mary Hardin-Baylor was
understandable, if not expected. But since then, Kean has rattled
off three straight wins, each seemingly more impressive than the
last. The latest, a 58-7 drubbing of Western Connecticut, was a
showcase of the team's weapons.

Quarterback Christian Bailoni threw for 171 yards and three
touchdowns, Darius Kinney rushed for 200 yards and two TDs, and
even kicker Bill Cullen connected on a 45-yard field goal.
Defensively, Kean held an improving Western Connecticut team to 150
total yards and forced four turnovers.

Kean is 3-0 in the NJAC, with wins against Brockport State,
Morrisville State and Western Connecticut. Road games against
William Paterson and TCNJ in the next two weeks present a prime
chance to reach 5-0 in the conference.

After that, Cortland State and Rowan loom. The Cougars tallied
close wins over both the Red Dragons and Profs last season. A
repeat could mean another NJAC title.

Rochester heating up

When I usually break down the Liberty League, the conversation
starts with Hobart and usually ends with Union or RPI. Springfield,
a team this writer expected to make a playoff push, is mired in a
down season.

I'll fully admit that seeing Rochester, following its 44-26 win
against Merchant Marine last weekend, at 3-2 overall and just a
game out of first place in the Liberty League standings surprised
me a bit. Perhaps it's because the Yellowjackets have had some
serious ups and downs this season. Or perhaps Rochester is just
overshadowed by the Hobarts and Unions of the world.

Whatever the case, consider the Yellowjackets firmly on my radar
now. Here's a team that has back-to-back conference wins under its
belt, including an impressive 18-point road win. Here's a team that
also beat Thiel in its season opener, and played St. John Fisher
close in the Courage Bowl. The 30-point loss to Springfield? Sure,
that one got away from them. But can the Yellowjackets, a team with
four wins in each of the last three seasons, hang with the big boys
in the Liberty League?

Quarterback Dean Kennedy, who had 247 passing yards, 65 rushing
yards and two total TDs in the win over Merchant Marine, has been
solid in his first season as a starter. The dual-threat QB is
completing 60 percent of his passes and leads the team with three
scores on the ground. Rochester's defense has also played well in
spurts. At least eight players have one sack, and none more than
2.5, so there is productive depth at work.

Rochester faces RPI, Union, WPI and Hobart in its final four
games, so we'll find out soon enough if the Yellowjackets will push
the teams ahead of them. A more realistic goal, perhaps, would be
winning two of those final four games. That would give Rochester
its first winning season since 2007.

Top 25: St. John Fisher falls out of top 10

St. John Fisher, following its loss to Salisbury, dropped from
No. 9 to No. 11 in this week's D3football.com Top 25 poll.

Quick hits

Chuck Beckwith rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns as Alfred
throttled Ithaca 31-7 on Saturday. The Saxons dominated the Bombers
in the trenches, sacking Phil Neumann eight times, including 4.5 by
Mike Raplee. ... Chris Haupt threw for 279 yards and three TDs --
including two to dynamic wide receiver Anthony Davis -- as Widener
defeated Stevenson 56-20. ... Bobby Dougherty ran for 150 yards and
three scores as Hobart out-rushed Springfield in a 28-7 victory.
The Statesmen held the Pride's dangerous triple-option attack to
just 150 yards on 47 carries. ... Louie Bianchini threw for 268
yards and four TDs -- each to different receivers -- in Rowan's
lopsided 33-7 win over Montclair State. Rowan exploded for three
touchdowns in the final 5:41 of the first half to put the game out
of reach. ... Jarrin Campman caught six passes for 73 yards and two
TDs and returned a punt 59 yards for a score in Lycoming's 42-7 win
vs. FDU-Florham. Tyler Jenny threw four TD passes as Lycoming
improved to 5-1 overall. ... Chris Rose tossed four TD passes and
Andrew Tolosi returned an interception 32 yards for a score in
Cortland State's 42-28 win against TCNJ. ... Connor Eck threw for
one TD and ran for another in Union's 21-6 win vs. WPI. Jafar
Johnson intercepted a pair of passes for Union, which held WPI to
just 89 passing yards. ... Andrew Benkwitt set school records for
completions (38) and touchdown passes (six) in Utica's 55-44
come-from-behind win against Buffalo State. Jeremy Meier caught 12
passes for 148 yards and four touchdowns in the shootout win. ...
Tyrone Nichols rushed for 165 yards and two of Brockport State's
four TDs on the ground in the Golden Eagles' 35-14 win over William
Paterson. ... Mike Hermann passed for 277 yards and three
touchdowns and added another 138 yards and score on the ground in
RPI's 46-27 win over St. Lawrence. Wade Hansen tallied three of the
Engineers' five sacks on the day. ... Patrick Ingulli rushed for
119 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Wilkes' 45-13 win vs.
Misericordia.

Looking ahead

No. 11 St. John Fisher (4-1, 1-1) will get a chance to bounce
back from its first loss on the road against Alfred (3-1, 2-0)
Saturday at 1 p.m. Both teams will have a hard time keeping pace
with No. 7 Salisbury in the Empire 8, but this is a key game that
could have Pool C ramifications.

Brockport State (4-2, 2-2) will try to win its second straight
when it faces Cortland State (4-1, 4-0) on the road Saturday at 1
p.m. Cortland has been on fire since losing in its season opener.
Brockport, after back-to-back losses, rebounded with a win against
William Paterson last weekend.

Two under-the-radar Liberty League teams will meet when
Rochester (3-2, 2-1) hosts RPI (4-1, 2-1) Saturday at 1 p.m. No. 12
Hobart garners the most attention, and rightfully so. But both
Rochester and RPI has shown flashes of potential this season. This
should be a good matchup.

Contact me

I'm always happy to hear from you, whether its questions,
feedback or story ideas. Please reach out to me at andrew.lovell@d3sports.com.
You can also follow me on Twitter (@andrew_lovell), and be sure to get
involved in the discussions on the Around the East thread on the
message board.